Grants

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AMA Flying Site Improvement Grant Helps Clubs Build Stronger

Whether the project is big or small, AMA supports its clubs.

In 2021, AMA and the AMA Foundation provided $53,497.87 in Flying Site Improvement Grant to 34 clubs across the county, helping them make improvements to their flying sites.

The LoveAir RC Club was one club who received a Flying Site Improvement Grant this year. Read below to learn more about how AMA's grant assisted their improvement efforts.

Reflections from an FSIG recipient

 

Whether the project is big or small, AMA supports its clubs.

In 2021, AMA and the AMA Foundation provided $53,497.87 in Flying Site Improvement Grant to 34 clubs across the county, helping them make improvements to their flying sites.

The LoveAir RC Club was one club who received a Flying Site Improvement Grant this year. Read below to learn more about how AMA's grant assisted their improvement efforts.

Reflections from an FSIG recipient

The LoveAir RC Club was founded in 1988 with the purpose to serve northern Colorado as a resource for RC Aeromodeling. Our current site provides an outstanding facility which includes an 800-foot asphalt runway that is a favorite of many RC pilots around Colorado and many other states. We conduct three AMA sanctioned events every year and have many pilots flying at our site whenever the weather is good. So, because of the importance of safety, we felt the need to upgrade our old pilot safety fence.

Figure 1 below shows our old fence. It was about 32 inches high and was designed and installed before the time of 2.4 GHz radios, 50cc and up gas engines, and larger RC airframes. It worked fine for the smaller airplanes of the time, but the modern heavier and higher power planes including jets were just too much for the old fence, so we decided to install a new stronger fence. We included this in our long-term financial plan and saved up funds to help finance the new fence project. WE included in our plan applying for an AMA FSIG and were very appreciative to be selected for a grant that helps us to upgrade the safety of RC flying activities at our Flying Site - Drake Field, Ault, Colorado.

The Project

Figure 2 below shows the crew of club volunteers who removed the old fence. They did this on the second day of the project. On the first day of the project, the fence contractor installed the vertical posts for the new fence in concrete about a foot away from the old fence. The volunteer crew was able to remove the old fence on the second day early in the morning in about an hour. Our club routinely asks for volunteers to help with clean-up and improvement projects at our field. We consistently have great success with doing many of our projects with club volunteers.

Figure 3 below shows the volunteer crew working to remove the old fence.

Figure 4 below shows a contractor worker in the morning of the second day beginning to assemble the top rail of the new steel fence.

Figure 5 below shows the completed new safety fence on May 5th. It is 42 inches high with chain link mesh. It is higher and very much stronger. We are very happy with it.

Fred W. Smith, Treasurer of LoveAir RC Club

Figure 1: The Old Fence - Plastic
Figure 2: Old Fence Removal Volunteers
Figure 3: Volunteer Crew Removing The Old Fence
Figure 4: Contractor Worker Starting Install Of New Fence
Figure 5: The Completed New Safety Fence

The AMA Foundation relies on your donations to continue providing funding to club sites in need of improvements. Donate today to the Programs Fund.

Learn more about the Flying Site Improvement Grant.

2021 Grants Awarded!

A total of $65,431.12 has been awarded in grants.

Congratulations to the 2021 recipients of the Flying Site Improvement Grant and the Take Off and Grow Grant.

 

Flying Site Improvement Grant (FSIG)

 

A total of $65,431.12 has been awarded in grants.

Congratulations to the 2021 recipients of the Flying Site Improvement Grant and the Take Off and Grow Grant.

 

Flying Site Improvement Grant (FSIG)

34 clubs were awarded Flying Site Improvement Grants in 2021! AMA established the Flying Site Improvement Grant program to invest in the continued improvement and growth of AMA chartered clubs and fields. Grant funding is provided through an allocation of membership dues each year as well as from funding from the AMA Foundation. These clubs are making a difference in the model aviation community, and the communities in which they operate. This year, $53,497.87 was awarded.

Fairborn Flying Aces RC Club

Kent County Aeromodelers Inc.

LoveAir RC Club

Corsair Model Aircraft Club

Aero Radio Club of Syracuse (ARCS)

Las Vegas Soaring Club

Boerne Area Model Society (BAMS)

R I Aeromodelers

River City Radio Controllers

Greater Southwest Aeromodelers

Tulip City Air Force Model Airplane Club

York County Flyers

Clovis Area Modelers

Indianapolis Radio Control Modelers Club

Casper Airmodelers Association

Texoma RC Modelers

Johnston County Aeromodeling Club (JCAC)

Fox Valley Aero Club

Millersburg R/C Modelers

Desert Eagles Model Airplane Flying Club

Catalina RC Modelers, Inc.

Blennerhassett Area RC

Susquehanna Valley Modelers

Raleigh Durham Radio Control Club

Kansas City Radio Control Club

Northern VA RC Club Inc.

Wingbusters Model Aircraft Club

Old Town Valley Flyers RC Club

Southeast Missouri Modelers Association

South Davis Modelers

American Turf Flyers and Sportman's Club, Inc.

Snohomish Radio Aero Club

Flying Pilgrims

Midwest Air Wing R/C Club

$581.25

$843.48

$962.00

$2,794.65

$1,010.34

$1,270.12

$1,386.58

$1,061.73

$1,101.17

$1,066.72

$3,000.00

$494.53

$3,000.00

$1,276.67

$436.06

$902.00

$628.45

$170.00

$3,000.00

$443.75

$3,000.00

$293.06

$1,346.17

$3,000.00

$437.34

$1,324.23

$3,000.00

$1,479.00

$2,852.81

$3,000.00

$344.66

$3,000.00

$3,000.00

$1,991.10

 

Take Off and Grow (TAG) Grant

14 clubs were awarded Take Off and Grow Grants in 2021! AMA Awards up to $1,000.00 to clubs that implement a Take Off and Grow (TAG) program in the local communities. TAG programs provide newcomers to model aviation an opportunity to learn about the hobby as well as practice flying model aircraft with experienced club members. TAG grants are awarded each year, thanks to the generous support of AMA members and AMA Foundation donors across the country. This year, $11,933.25 was awarded.

Flying Knights MAC

Flying WingNutz of WV

Colonel's Flyin' Aces

Seminole RC Club

Central Alabama Sport Flyers

Huntington County Modelers

Anderson Preparatory Academy

Indianapolis Radio Control Modelers Club

Paducah Aeromodelers

Capital Area Radio Drone Squadron

Casper Airmodelers Association

Tucson RC Club

Casa Grande RC Flyers

Xaviators

$1,000.00

$1,000.00

$1,000.00

$1,000.00

$723.25

$400.00

$1,000.00

$910.00

$1,000.00

$500.00

$500.00

$900.00

$1,000.00

$1,000.00

Lone Tree RC Flyers Receive Disaster Relief Grant

lone tree flyers get check

In August of 2020, the Lone Tree RC Flyers' flying site experienced damage due to a Derecho that passed through their area. The wind storm tore up their runway from the right edge up to the center seam. This was previously fastened with 12" staples and roof sealant, but it still wasn't strong enough to withstand the wind. The remaining fabric on the left side of the runway suffered damages as well; patches of tears and holes between the fibers running the length of the runway that were not repairable.

 

In August of 2020, the Lone Tree RC Flyers' flying site experienced damage due to a Derecho that passed through their area. The wind storm tore up their runway from the right edge up to the center seam. This was previously fastened with 12" staples and roof sealant, but it still wasn't strong enough to withstand the wind. The remaining fabric on the left side of the runway suffered damages as well; patches of tears and holes between the fibers running the length of the runway that were not repairable.

After assessing the damage to the runway and evaluating their budget, the club decided to apply for AMA's Disaster Relief Grant and was awarded the maximum amount of $500 to help rebuild their site. With the grant money, the Lone Tree RC Flyers were able to purchase two 300 foot rools of runway fabric that they will be laying down in the Spring of 2021.

Right Side Runway Damage
Left Side Runway Damage - Tears & Rips
Brian S. (Right) Presents the Disaster Relief Grant Check to Club Treasurer Mike F. (Left)

2020 Grants Awarded!

A total of $56,069.32 has been awarded in grants.

Congratulations to the 2020 recipients of the Flying Site Improvement Grant and the Take Off and Grow Grant.  

 

A total of $56,069.32 has been awarded in grants.

Congratulations to the 2020 recipients of the Flying Site Improvement Grant and the Take Off and Grow Grant.  

Flying Site Improvement Grant (FSIG)

26 clubs were awarded Flying Site Improvement grants in 2020! AMA established the Flying Site Improvement Grant program to invest in the continued improvement and growth of AMA chartered clubs and fields. Grant funding is provided through an allocation of membership dues each year as well as from funding from the AMA Foundation. These clubs are making a difference in the model aviation community, and the communities in which they operate. This year, $41,464.32 was awarded.

ClubAmount 

Rhode Island Aeromodelers $1,538.36

Southern New Hampshire Flying Eagles R/C Club $2,621.75

Brauer's Aviators $441.35

Fairfield League of Yankee Radio Controllers  (FlyRC) $393.20

Anderson Flyers RC Club $533.58

Greater Cincinnati Radio Control Club $3,000.00

Charlotte Aeromodelers $3,000.00

District of Columbia Radio Control (DCRC) Club $972.00

Bay City Flyers $3,000.00

Blount County Model Aviators $1,135.00

Seminole Radio Control Club $1,811.00

Flying Cardinals of Northern Kentucky $1,841.75

Fort Wayne Flying Circuits $377.00

Henderson RC Model Airplane Club $516.57

Mid-Missouri Radio Control Association $1,660.47

Midwest Air Wing R/C Club $3,000.00

Des Moines Modelaires $1,298.35

Flying Pilgrims $1,606.82

Lake County Modelers and Flyers Association $3,000.00

Wausau RC Sportsmen $1,476.00

ARF RC Flying Club $516.50

Good Ole Okies Flying Society $1,090.00

Sky Corral R/C Club $1,940.75

Silent Electric Fliers of San Diego $496.45

Tri Valley RC Modelers $3,000.00

Puget Sound Silent Flyers $1,197.42

   

Take Off and Grow (TAG) Grant

23 clubs were awarded Take Off and Grow Grants in 2020! AMA awards up to $1,000 to clubs that implement a Take off And Grow (TAG) program in their local communities. TAG programs provide newcomers to model aviation an opportunity to learn about the hobby as well as practice flying model aircraft with experienced club members. TAG grants are awarded each year, thanks to the generous support of AMA members and AMA Foundation donors across the country. This year, $14,605.00 was awarded.

Club NameAmount

Aeroguidance Society$790.00

Meroke Radio Control$1,000.00

Penn Ohio Radio Kontrol Society (PORKS)$800.00

Valley City R/C Club, Inc.$1,000.00

Holly Springs Skyhawks Radio Control Group$800.00

Johnston County Aeromodelling Club$1,000.00

Largo Flying Club$500.00

Flagler City Radio Aero Modelers$800.00

Stone Mountain Radio Control Flyers$500.00

Henderson Radio Control Model Airplane Club$715.00

Madison Area Radio Control Society (MARCS)$500.00

Lake County Modelers & Flyers$500.00

Milan Flyers$400.00

Capital Area Radio Drone Squadron$400.00

Corsicana R/C Flyers$300.00

Richardson Radio Control Club$1,000.00

Casper Airmodelers Association$400.00

Rapid City Propbusters$500.00

Longmont Electric Aircraft Flyers, LEAF$500.00

Lincoln Sky Knights$400.00

Casa Grande RC Flyers$1,000.00

Oasis Flyers (Flying Aces)$800.00

   

 

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